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Karnataka's early kharif sowing sees a significant rise in acreage for tur, moong, and maize due to favorable pre-monsoon showers. Despite recent erratic rains, overall kharif acreage has more than doubled. The state has set ambitious targets for pulses, cereals, and oilseeds. However, rainfall deficits in some districts pose challenges.

Highlights

Significant Increase in Crop Acreage: Early kharif sowing in Karnataka has seen a substantial rise in the area under pulses (tur and moong) and cereals (mainly maize) due to favorable pre-monsoon showers, despite recent erratic monsoon rains and rainfall deficits in some districts.

Dramatic Rise in Tur Planting: The acreage under tur has skyrocketed by 563%, reaching 5.73 lakh hectares (lh) by June 21, compared to the normal 1.01 lh. Karnataka is a major tur producer, contributing significantly to this increase.

Expansion in Moong and Urad Areas: Moong planting has increased by 205% to 3.35 lh, with a target of 3.99 lh for the season. Urad has also seen a doubling in planted area to 0.73 lh, showing significant growth in pulse crops.

Overall Pulses Acreage Growth: The total pulses acreage has grown to 10.378 lh, far surpassing last year's 1.21 lh and the normal 3.49 lh. The state aims for a total pulses area of 21.19 lh for the kharif season.

Maize Acreage Surge: Maize planting has surged by 294%, reaching 8.98 lh compared to the normal 3.06 lh. Last year, maize was planted on 1.25 lh by this time. Karnataka, a key maize producer, targets 15.40 lh for the season.

Increased Oilseeds Planting: Farmers have favored soyabean and groundnut, with soyabean area tripling to 3.03 lh and groundnut doubling to 0.82 lh. Other oilseeds like niger, sunflower, and sesamum have also seen increased acreage.

Commercial Crops Expansion: The area under cotton has more than doubled to over 2.40 lh, and sugarcane has risen by 116% to 4.55 lh. Tobacco planting is also higher at 0.74 lh, indicating robust growth in commercial crops.

Overall Kharif Acreage Increase: The total kharif acreage has more than doubled to over 33 lh, a four-fold increase from 8.37 lh last year. Karnataka's target for total kharif acreage this season is 82.48 lh.

Rainfall Impact: Despite normal to excess pre-monsoon rainfall, recent weakening of rains has led to a cumulative rainfall deficiency in seven of the state's 31 districts. However, the state as a whole reported an 8% surplus in rainfall from January 1 to June 21.

Conclusion

Karnataka's farmers have responded proactively to early favorable weather conditions, expanding their kharif crop acreage significantly, especially in pulses, maize, and oilseeds. This substantial increase highlights the state's agricultural resilience and strategic crop choices. However, the erratic monsoon patterns and rainfall deficits in certain districts could impact future crop yields and necessitate effective water management strategies. The state's ambitious targets reflect confidence, yet ongoing monitoring and support will be crucial to achieving these goals.

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